Break Out*

Life is full of challenges, but most of all life is over whenever it wants to be.  Enjoy it NOW!  As the new year is upon us find your joy in every day, beyond all boarders, beyond all reason.  Be happy TODAY!  Don't stop to think and wonder, LIVE TODAY! Break out of your mold and be YOU.  LOVE YOU and BE YOU!!!! Have a FANTASTIC NEW YEAR!!!

LOVE YOU ALL and most of all LOVE YOURSELF!  :)  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheerleaders

This past year I have done a lot of conscious, personal work. Though I know that I have "evolved" it is affirming and reassuring to get feedback from people who haven't seen me in a year and who've noticed the positive changes.

On our paths we all face challenges.  Having cheerleaders and supporters along the way gives you courage and strength toward taking another step. It is much more challenging without them.  So today, take a moment to thank those people in your life, thank them for taking the time to notice and care.  :)

Be Open To Gifts

Today, as I was walking along the Lago Maggiore in Italy, I was astounded by the vegetation that was still plentiful along the shores...  Most of the trees still had all of their foliage and some were even in bloom, though most of the mountain peaks were already covered in snow and the temperatures are hovering around the low 30s (Fahrenheit). I even saw some some pansies!

It was an absolutely gorgeous day full of unexpected wonders and beauty. We also ate lunch on the terrace and enjoyed the view until the sun went down very quickly at 3:50pm.  The suddenness of the sun disappearing behind the mountain and the drop in temperature were also astonishing.

It made me realize the importance of living the moment when it happens. One moment it here, the next it is gone. This day also emphasized how you can be surprised by the unexpected.  Though it is winter, you can still encounter blooms, palm trees and pansies, as well as beautiful, almost blindingly clear, sunny, warm days. These are all gifts if you choose to accept them.

Be open to gifts that surround you and invite them in wholeheartedly.  :)

Seizures

Below is a previous post of mine.  As I was watching a DVD of Donna Eden today she said that this technique helps with seizures and can be used when you feel one coming on or when a person is having a seizure. "Hooking" up the energy flow with this technique shortens and/or prevents seizures! I recopied the technique for your convenience below.  :)

Here is a simple energy clearing technique, as described by Donna Eden, you can use whenever you feel like you are dragging, not thinking clearly and/or feel like you are not connected:

Put one finger, preferably the middle finger into your belly button and pull your belly button up high. At the same time put your other middle finger at the third eye (the middle of your forehead) and pull them both up. Take deep breaths while doing this (at least 3 deep breaths).

This will "hook" you back up energetically and you will feel better. It is quickly and easily done and can be done as many times as you like.  :)

Focus

Giving focus to your intentions is the key to manifesting quickly, efficiently and most of all in a VERY targeted manner.  Be completely clear on what you want when you pray for help or ask for answers/guidance.  If you are not clear on what you are asking for, then how is the Universe/God/etc.  to answer?

If your thoughts and intentions are foggy so will be the answers you receive.  The clearer you are, the clearer the answers and your path will be. Practice this everyday until it becomes second nature.  It is not as easy as it may seem at first to be that focused.  As always, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Helping Navigate Emotions

How can you help others to navigate the sea of emotions?
1. Know first of all that the other person has to be the swimmer.
2. If the person is open to support you can share the tools you have acquired while swimming through your own sea of emotions.
3. Whether the tools are used or not is up to the receiver. They may or may not be useful to that person,  even if they were lifesavers for you. Give the tools with love and then let go completely.  You have done your part. :)

Travel Assurance

When you are travelling, you may want to ask your angels to keep you safe and protected during your travels. Every time I do, I feel a sense of peace come over me as well as a sense of reassurance, and you can move on with your life. Try it and see how it works for you!

Safe travels to everyone during this holiday season!

Mind vs. Heart Based Decisions

Is it better to follow your heart or your head?  I am not sure I have the answer.  However I do know that being an analytical person, my primary focus has been to follow my head.  In recent years I have started wondering more and more what it would be like to follow the heart.  And even more recently I have been letting my heart lead once in a while.

I find that when you let yourself be led by your heart, a lot more faith comes into play, and of course your action does not necessarily follow logic.  The results however seem to be more solid and peaceful, no matter what the outcome is. Your heart is closer to your essence than you mind seems to be and thus you are doing what your soul needs for its growth.

This doesn't mean that you should discredit your mind completely though.  Without it you couldn't make these types of observations after all...  :)

The Power Of You

In past blogs I have talked about the benefits of writing down insights, positive thoughts, keeping a gratitude journal, etc. The one benefit I did not mention before is the fact that you can go back to these writings when you might have an uninspired day (or for that matter anytime!) to seek inspiration.

Your personal creations have a double positive effect for you: 1) they will inspire you and 2)YOU were the creator!  This makes it even more meaningful and fulfilling for you. YOU can be as inspiring to yourself as any enlightened Master. YOU have the power within.

Healing Relationships

Healing relationships, whether it means making them stronger or letting them go, feels like swimming upstream (i.e. it is "hard" work). Nevertheless the key word and focus should be on healing and the willingness to do what it takes to heal.  Emotions will be all over the map. The more you familiarize yourself with your emotions the clearer you will see what you need and what/who will help you heal. Then, take a deep breath and follow through on your insights/instinct.

Thank you mom, for being my mom and for being my healer today.  I love you.

Positive Thought

"Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day in the year." by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Short, simple, and sweet... Start your day with this thought and set yourself up for a bright new day, everyday.  :)

Take Action

Do you have a tendency to over think, meaning that your mind is constantly analyzing, working, churning, etc.? When you dealing with personal challenges, that often times are deeply steeped in emotions, it is almost agonizing work to try and rationalize these challenges and to find a logical solution.  Though it is important to go through the mental exercise, over thinking becomes counterproductive.

When you are over thinking remember that you can channel this excess energy into work/staying busy/being active. Over thinking is stagnant and a great way to rebalance this imbalance is to actively engage in life. Action is also empowering, which leads to increased self confidence, etc.  Next time you find yourself stuck in though remember to shift by taking action.  :)

Little Problems

Freezing rain and then snow swept through Ogden today. On my hike, a lot of trees were laden with ice and snow blocking the path. Though it looked beautiful and it was amazing how flexible these trees are, they were very strained. So I helped them (and many trees in my yard) shed some of that weight.

It made me think about human nature too and how resilient humans are. Hardships and bad experiences can weigh you down. Nevertheless you have the opportunity to shed the weight and bounce back, which we all do to survive. 

Snow seems to be so light, but if there is enough of it, it gets very heavy. So are little problems: They may not seem like a big deal, but if enough of them accumulate, they become heavy too. Thus make sure to avoid the accumulation of little problems.  Work them too and stay light!  :)

I Don't Know

For a lot of people it is hard to say: "I don't know" when they are asked something, for fear to show weakness or lack of knowledge.  Though you may be able to fake your way through it, energetically the 'deceit' can still be picked up.

Admitting that you don't know on the other hand, shows integrity and strength. Though you don't know, you can find out and voice that. It is not about what you know or don't know, but about how you handle the situation. Nobody can know everything and resourcefulness can go a long way in supplementing any lack of knowledge.  :)

Honor Those Who Have Passed On

Honoring/acknowledging people who have passed on is a wonderful thing to do, especially on days that they keep crossing your mind. Whether they were loved ones, friends or mere acquaintances doesn't matter. Whatever the circumstances were, whether positive or negative, is irrelevant too.

Whether here or on the other side, light and love is always needed. For one reason or another you are thinking of that person(s), so take the opportunity to remember her. You can do something as simple as sending a blessing her way, or a prayer, or light and love.  If that doesn't feel like it is enough, light a candle for her as a physical representation of the light. Add love to it every time you look at the flame. This process is beneficial for you as well as for the recipient.  :)

Oats

Here is some information about Oats that I enjoyed learning about today...what a great medicinal plant!

Dried oat seeds & fresh oat plant tonic are known to:

• Benefit the health of the nervous system
• Lift depressed mood, where lowered mood is associated with anxiety and nervous exhaustion, especially during menopause
• Improve sleep duration and quality
• Aid with withdrawal from tobacco and drug addiction

Cold Prevention

You know what it feels like when a cold is coming on... So what can you do? Here are a few suggestions you can apply right away.

1. Increase your intake of Vitamin C.  I like the chewable kind, especially when your throat is acting up. Sucking it slowly soothes the throat.
2. Echinacea enhances immune resistance and works against colds, flu, viral and bacterial infections. I like to drink it in tea form when I feel I need the extra boost.
3. Get plenty of rest! Listen to your body and take it easy.
4. Eat fresh food. Give your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
5. Work on yourself energetically through visualization. Close your eyes and scan your body in your mind's eye.  Feel where you are off balance. Sometimes you feel pressure on the chest, or your throat is sore, or you feel pressure in your sinuses, etc. Visualize the pressure in your chest, for example, as a ball weighing down on your chest.  With every breath and your intent, gently push that ball out and/or away from your body. When you intake air, visualize pure, clean healing energy that replaces the pressure ball that is being pushed out. You will feel the energy change and you will feel better.

Please share any of your favorite preventative methods! There are so many different things one can do.  :)

What Goes Around Comes Around

Today, as I was being hard on myself, I was sweetly reminded by a friend to be good to and to take it easy on myself (thank you!).  It is the first time I was handed my own tool back to me by another person when I needed that tool.

It instantly made me smile and agree that yes, I could take it easy on myself. Mistakes happen and life goes on. I was able to shift that quickly.

It also goes to show you that when you help others you help yourself too. I started this blog with the intent of sharing insights and in the hope that it will help others.  Now it ended up helping me directly too, completely validating the saying "What goes around, comes around.".  :)

Trust Your Inner Compass

While listening to some mantras today on YouTube, I was struck by the comments and how they ranged from total acceptance to total rejection for the same mantra.  It reminded me, how the same thing strikes everyone differently, how what is good for me may not be good for you and vice versa.

It reminded me of the importance of following your own compass.  No matter what others say, only you know what is best for you. If it feels right to you, pursue it and integrate it.  If it doesn't honor that too and let it go.  Even if it worked for someone else, it doesn't mean that it will for you.

Remember you are in the driver's seat and you can choose where you go. Trust your compass. It will steer you right.  :)

Spread Love

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." by Mother Teresa

If each of us took these words to heart, the world would be a different place. Take these words to heart and live them consciously today.  Be that shining light for others.

Anonymous Gifting

Anonymous gifting is such a beautiful thing. Doing something for the sake of being nice and not needing the credit is a facet of unconditional love.  In addition too, anytime you give unconditionally you automatically also receive ("For it is in giving that you receive." by St. Francis of Assisi).

This fall, for example, someone strung Tibetan prayer flags to a couple of trees. For centuries, Tibetan Buddhists have planted these flags outside their homes and places of spiritual practice for the wind to carry the beneficent vibrations across the countryside.  Prayer flags are said to bring happiness, long life and prosperity to the flag planter and those in the vicinity. Anyone who hiked the Indian trail walked under these flags, thus being blessed.

My hiking buddy and I loved seeing the flags and felt blessed.  It definitely brightened my day. Though I don't know who the donor was, I was grateful and inspired to give to others from the heart.

Take a little time today to look inside and see how you can be an anonymous donor. Gifting can take so many shapes, it doesn't have to be monetary. Touch another person's life, even if just with thought and intention. Bless others, light a candle for a loved one, say a prayer for someone, etc.. It all counts and it all makes our world a better place.

Treat Yourself

Celebrating your journey as you go is essential to your development. Learning to give to yourself and enjoying it, is an art form in itself, especially when you aren't used to doing so. Whether it is taking five minutes to listen to your current favorite song, treating yourself to a special meal, wearing a new clothing item, reading a book, do it consciously and bask in it. You earned it and you deserve it! 

Every step counts on your journey.  Remember to make it fun too!   :)

Off Day

There are days where everything seems off, things don't quite flow right, you are not feeling anywhere close to your best. It is like you are continually given little challenges that don't fit into your day.

Instead of getting irritated/flustered/mad/etc., make room to breathe and center often throughout your day. If you have difficulty being positive, you can choose to stay neutral. Not everything always has to have a reason - sometimes you just have an off day. Let all criticism go.  Be good to yourself, breathe, center.  Give yourself permission to find this time to center. Tomorrow is a new day.

Mantras Follow Up

A little over a week ago, I committed to choosing a couple of mantras and repeating them daily once (108 repetitions). I do them every night before going to sleep.

I found myself repeating them during the day too, though silently vs. out loud as I do at night. Saying them out loud is important. The singsong vibration you create is soothing and resonates through your whole body. It feels like you are speaking to all your cells as well as your subtle bodies.

They are soothing. Today I decided to add another one that I feel is very powerful and thus wanted to share with you:

"I am love and I always am loved."

Say it out loud to yourself.  If it feels right to you join me in this "experiment" to heighten your vibration.  :)

Slow Down

Today Mother Nature blessed us with a snow storm. I love snow, but it did make driving very treacherous and dangerous. Even at 25mph you were slipping and sliding, which forced you to really drive very slowly.

When I allowed myself to be okay with slowing down and not worrying about how long it would take me, I actually started enjoying my drive. The Winter wonderland around me was amazing. There is something so peaceful about a white landscape and the snow gently coming down.

I came to realize too that this easily translates to life in general...slow down and enjoy the ride. I plan to apply this insight more often to my life from now on.  :)

Finding Peace Within

What are things you can do to find peace within?

1. See your inner Drama Queen/King and release him/her gently from the great job it has done so far. She/he was protecting you and now that you are taking charge she/he can finally take a well deserved hiatus.
2. Stop judging others and more importantly yourself.
3. Ease up on having to control everything in your life.
4. Make friends with all your emotions. It is okay to cry, for example. Feeling and expressing your emotions shows strength, NOT weakness.
5. Shower yourself with love everyday. Be good to yourself.
6. Share unconditional love with others.
7. Take care of your physical body. Get plenty of nutritious food, exercise, and sleep!
8. Spend time in Nature. Nothing compares to a walk through fresh snow, a breath of fresh air, a hike through a blooming forest, walking barefoot in the grass, gazing at the moon & stars, etc.
9.Breathe lots, consciously and deeply. Do it often throughout the day!
10. Be grateful and remember you are blessed at all times.

Patience

Taking action and wanting to move things forward is a good thing. Usually. At times though, when you have done what you can do, you also need to be patient and let things take their course. It is like eating and then your body needs to digest the food. It takes time but the ball has been set into motion.

When you are working on moving something forward, pay attention to when you have done enough and when it is time for you to take a backseat for a while.  Though you may be itching to push the issue, there are usually subtle signs that the Universe is giving you to take a breather and be patient.

You will know when it is time to step back into it again.

Time Heals Everything?

Does time heal everything?  What do you think?

I believe time lessens the pain, but it never really goes away unless you work through and look at the cause of your pain. Unless you do your part and take responsibility, the memory of the pain may fade but never truly go away. I also believe that it will manifest in another form so that you have the opportunity to work through it. It won't just go away.

Only when you do the actual work will you be able to truly heal, move on, and reach new heights.

Paths

Life is never black and white.  There are many, many shades of grey all created by us. Any time more than one person is involved in a situation, the complexities of each person are brought forth into the situation making interesting amalgams of beliefs, standards, ideals, etc. 

There are times where you can see and relate to many different points of view. So how do you decide what the best course of action is, when there are so many paths you could take that are all part of who you are and that resonate with you?

Sometimes there just isn't a straightforward answer to that question. In the end probably the best course is to follow your heart and do what feels most right to you and to who you are. No matter what others think you need to find peace within you first and foremost.

Repetition

One of the big factors that influence change is repetition. After all, practice makes perfect, as the saying goes. If you want to become a peaceful person, for example, you will want to focus on how to live your present life in a more peace filled manner.

Every time you abandon your peace throughout the day, the repeated process of 1. realizing that you are not at peace anymore and 2. gently bringing yourself consciously back to a peaceful state, is necessary for your long term success.

As always, be kind to yourself through these processes. Even if you have to repeat them a million times, every time is a success, every time is one more moment in your life time that you are at peace.  :)

Mantras

Mantras can change what you believe about yourself when worked correctly. A mantra is any positive word, sound or statement that is repeated. You want to repeat the mantra you pick 108 times in a row at least once a day. Here are three mantras from the book "Live Your Bliss" written by Terri Cole-Whittaker that I liked:

1. God is my constant, opulent source, and supply.

2. My nature is eternity, consciousness, and bliss.

3. I am enough, and I always have enough.

Commit to one mantra that resonates with you and do this simple exercise of saying it 108 times in a row at least once a day. See what it does for you. I am starting today.  Join me and let me know what you find. I will do the same.  :)